CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), under the leadership of Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., has assumed the chairmanship of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), succeeding Malaysia, as part of ASEAN’s continuing efforts to promote transparency, confidence-building, and peaceful cooperation amid the ongoing Cambodia–Thailand border situation.
In line with this responsibility, General Brawner led an AFP delegation to Thailand and Cambodia from February 9 to 14, 2026, to engage his counterparts and reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to its mandate as Chair of the AOT. The visit aimed to strengthen defense cooperation and support ASEAN’s role in managing territorial and border concerns through impartial observation and constructive engagement.
In Thailand, General Brawner paid a courtesy call on General Ukris Boontanondha, Chief of Defense Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces on February 9. He subsequently visited the Thailand border area on February 10 to observe developments on the ground.
In Cambodia, General Brawner met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha, and General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, on February 12. He also visited border areas in Cambodia on February 13 to enhance situational awareness and reinforce the Philippines’ commitment to fulfilling its ASEAN responsibilities.
As Chair of the ASEAN Observer Team, the AFP’s role is strictly limited to observing, verifying, and reporting developments on the ground, in accordance with ASEAN protocols and the principle of non-interference.
General Brawner’s visit was the first by an ASEAN Chief of Defense to both sides of the border in connection with the Observer Team’s mission. It underscores the importance placed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on supporting peaceful and cooperative regional mechanisms that contribute to stability in the region.
Aside from leading the AOT, the AFP will deploy additional teams under the overall leadership of a designated two-star General. An AFP Brigadier General will head the AOT-Thailand, while an AFP Commodore will lead the AOT-Cambodia. The Philippines will formally assume the AOT leadership responsibility from Malaysia this February, marking the official turnover of duties.
The AFP remains fully committed to its primary mandate of defending Philippine sovereignty and protecting the Filipino people while contributing to regional peace, stability, and mutual trust.///
